Last week Michael Fabricant wrote to the Speaker to give him the opportunity to shut down speculation he is considering breaking his promise to the House and remaining in his post beyond 2018. Bercow’s coy response will spark further rumours:

Dear Michael,

In view of your touching interest in my career, I should simply encourage you to look back at what I have said in the past and to compare it – in due course – with what I do in the future.

Yours ever,

John

Such transparency and accountability from our modernising, reforming Speaker…